The Canon XF200 uses a
built-in internal microphone and has additional XLR (3-pin) cable inputs for
other microphones such as stick (hand-held) or wireless.

The internal microphone is
set up to record NAT audio (natural or ambient sound). This microphone records
two-channel stereo (L and R channels) and is ideally suited to recreate the environmental
ambience. But this microphone is not recommended for recording voices during interviews.

NOTE: It’s
inadvisable to record interviews with the internal microphone. The reason why
concerns the fact that the internal has a wider pickup range, meaning that it
will pick up as much ambient audio as it will the person’s voice. Also, it’s
crucial to get the microphone as close to the voice as possible. Students who
use the internal micophone for interviews always come away with voices that
sound distant or are overwhelmed with ambient sound.

Using Stick Microphones or Wireless

These accessory microphones
can be connected to the Input 1 or Input 2 XLR terminals. The stick and the
wireless microphones are ideally suited to record voices during interviews. For
the clearest, sharpest reproduction of voices, it’s important to always
consider first using the stick and wireless… and only use the internal
microphone as a last resort. Never start with the last resort first because
audio quality is as important as video quality.

Connecting the Stick or Wireless Microphone

Use either INPUTS 1 or 2,
but for the illustration, we’ll use INPUT 2. For using the wireless, connect
the receiver to INPUT 2 and attach it to the camera’s shoe (top track on the
camera – see picture). Make sure the receiver is connected securely to the
camera.

In the above illustration, the wireless microphone receiver is attached to the "shoe" located on top of the camera's handle. The receiver XLR input is connected to the INPUT 2 terminal.

Audio Input Settings

The controls for setting the
audio input of the microphones can be found in a compartment located in the
camera’s top handle. The controls are divided between AUDIO record level thumbwheels,
CH 1 and CH 2 Automatic or Manual settings, AUDIO INPUT 1 and 2 settings.

The INPUT 1 and INPUT 2
AUDIO IN settings let you select between LINE, MIC and MIC +48V. When using a
stick microphone or a wireless, select MIC. In this example, if you plug the
stick microphone into INPUT 2, then select MIC. The
audio will be heard on CH2 (right channel). You can set INT. MIC (internal
microphone) to record audio in CH1.

BEST PRACTICE: Always wear headphones when recording. You must be able to monitor the
quality of the audio, not just simply look at the meter to know that you’re recording
sound. Headphones will help you hear for distortions, including unwanted
static, cracks, pops and hissing sounds that could interfere with the audio.
Without headphones, you’ll never know the quality of the audio.

Below, the headphone jack is located at the back of the camera and right of the battery compartment.

Audio Meter

The meter appears in the lower right portion of the viewfinder screen. Use the scale to judge the strength of the audio levels. Try not to keep the peak of the levels between 20 and 10 . Should they enter and stay in the red area, the levels are too high and need to be turned down. Use the thumbwheel audio controls to change the recording levels.